Thief eludes capture after high-speed chase in Findlay

1/15/2009

FINDLAY - A man who allegedly robbed a Kroger store in Findlay led police on a high-speed chase early Thursday morning, eventually evading capture after authorities suspended the chase for safety reasons, police said.

A Findlay police officer was flagged down in the parking lot of the grocery store at 1996 Tiffin Ave. about 1:45 a.m. after a man fled from the store in a red minivan.

An employee of the store tried to stop the suspect as he loaded merchandise in his van, but was struck by the van as it pulled forward. The employee was on the hood of the van for about 150 feet before falling off.

The employee suffered minor injuries, but did not seek medical attention.

Within minutes, officers spotted the van and attempted to stop it at Tiffin Avenue and Woodworth Drive. The pursuit continued through Findlay to I-75 and reached speeds of more than 90 mph, police said.

The chase was stopped after about 8 miles due to unsafe road conditions and unsafe speeds, police said.